Heavy Rain, Backseat Drivers and Spiders in the Car Among Common Motoring Distractions

Heavy rain, backseat drivers and spiders or bugs in the car are among the most common motoring distractions, it has emerged.

Researchers who carried out a detailed study also found debris on the road, children squabbling in the back and dashboard warning lights lead to drivers taking their eyes off the road.

Following the Sat Nav, adjusting the Sat Nav or changing radio stations also made the list as did eating food or consuming drinks whilst steering the vehicle.

David Carter of Accident Advice Helpline, which commissioned the study of 2,000 motorists via OnePoll.com, said: “There are hundreds of distractions for drivers every day, and during a long commute it can be hard to stay focused.

“When doing the same journey regularly, road users still need to keep their attention at one hundred per cent as incidents can easily occur as the result of a small distraction.”

The top 50 common distractions includes children fighting with each other, other road users driving with full beam on in the dark and listening to a favourite song on the radio.

Passing popular tourist attractions also feature in the list.

Spotting an attractive driver at traffic lights is also likely to ensure you are not paying full attention to the traffic.

Other things guaranteed to distract drivers from the road are changing the radio station, singing along to favourite tunes and watching other people in their cars.

Women admitted checking make-up and hair in the sun-visor mirror also take their eyes off the road as did hunting down their lip balm before parking up.

One quarter of Brits struggle to concentrate when getting lost, with three in ten unable to fully focus during heavy rain.

And on the flip side, passengers failing to give directions is a common distraction for one in six.

Seeing a classic motor on the road and trying to transport a cake are also regular disturbances for drivers.

One in five are often preoccupied by their kids arguing, so it’s unsurprising the same number of Brits find their children are the most distracting of anyone on a journey.

One in six drivers agree their partner causes the most interference when driving, with mum causing the most problems for one in twenty drivers.

Nearly two thirds of those polled admit there are more distractions now than there were 10 years’ ago, with more than one in five drivers admit to having a ‘near miss’ or accident because they weren’t concentrating on the matter in hand.

And some have even been pulled over by the police for unsafe driving caused by driver distractions.

Even so, it doesn’t stop nearly three quarters of Brits from enjoying hitting the open road.

Three quarters of British drivers admit they rarely concentrate all of the time when driving, with a third often wondering how they reached their destination safely after zoning out.

David Carter added: “The sheer volume of traffic on the road and the increase of in-car and mobile technology provide more opportunities for driver distraction ever before. Many of the non-fault accident victims that we help could have been saved from injury if the driver at fault was concentrating fully.”

1. People who drive towards you with full beam on in the dark2. Heavy rain3. Getting lost4. Obstructions / debris in the road5. Kids arguing in the back6. Back seat drivers7. A warning light/weird sound8. Trying to follow the Sat Nav9. Kids fighting10. A bug or spider that has gotten into the car11. Passenger not giving directions12. Minor accidents13. Adjusting the Sat Nav14. Changing the radio station15. Scenery16. Trying to transport something fragile like a cake and making sure it stays safe17. Having a row with your partner18. Passengers fiddling with the tunes19. Passengers fiddling with the heaters20. You’re watching the driver behind you in your rear view mirror21. General daydreaming22. Emergency services travelling on either carriageway23. Driving past a tourist attraction like Stonehenge24. Eating/food25. Being upset26. People who have broken down27. A pet in the back28. Trying to take off a jacket because it’s hot29. A pedestrian outside the car drawing attention to themselves30. A text coming through31. Talking on the phone32. You’re too busy looking at what other drivers are doing33. Adjusting the temperature34. Children making a mess35. Classic cars36. Kids playing games37. One of the kids undoing their seatbelt38. Advertising/billboards39. Checking to see if your child is asleep yet40. When you need something from the glovebox – at 70mph41. Attractive driver in the car next to you at the traffic lights42. When you drop some food on the floor43. Laughing hysterically44. Unusual cars45. Checking the fuel level46. Your favourite song on the radio47. Listening intently to the radio48. Smoking/vaping49. Trying to do up your own seatbelt after you’ve pulled out50. Checking yourself in the mirror